June 2009

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Brewers Eyeing Brandon Backe

According to Adam McCalvy at MLB.com, the Brewers might be interested in signing recently-released RHP Brandon Backe. Says assistant GM Gord Ash: "You have to at least take a look." The Brewers are currently hurting for starting pitching depth, though they received a nice outing from Mike Burns tonight, as McCalvy notes. By picking up Backe they'd only be on the hook for the pro-rated amount of the league minimum. He might be able to slide into the back end of the rotation, but he's not likely to be an impact acquisition. It's a little murky on who else has...   Continue Reading

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Arangure Jr. On International Prospects

ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. has been all over the market for potential signings from Latin America ahead of July 2nd, the first day teams are officially eligible to sign international free agents. Let's check out his latest action on the beat: The Braves and Reds supposedly watched the workouts for shortstop prospect Humberto Valor. One scout called him "the best position player in Venezuela," and he's expected to get a bonus in the range of $1.5MM-$2.2MM. The Red Sox are apparently set to sign Dominican right-hander Raul Alcantara for $500k. Here's a scouting report, and one scout said he's "better...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Zambrano, Royals, Hinske

A dosage of links to soothe and satisfy between innings: Paul Sullivan at the Chicago Tribune got Carlos Zambrano to respond to the poll that 57.2% of Cubs fans think he should be traded: "Fine, trade me to Boston," he joked. Joe Posnanski gives an in-depth look at the problems facing the Royals. "The Royals execs are smart people. But the more they do to this offense, the worse this offense gets," he says. Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel, cricket players from India who won a reality T.V. show called "Million Dollar Arm" and had never picked up a baseball...   Continue Reading

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Discussion: Replacing Mike Lowell

The Red Sox were dealt a blow today when third baseman Mike Lowell was placed on the DL with a right hip strain. In a new video today, ESPN's Peter Gammons commented on the situation: "One way or another, they need to find another bat... He's a huge loss on and off the field." Gammons throws out Garrett Atkins and Nick Johnson as potential fits, though noting Johnson's defense has been suspect this season. Adam Kilgore at the Boston Globe talked to Terry Francona about Lowell, who says he's feeling good and doesn't expect to miss much more than the...   Continue Reading

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Indians Release Luis Vizcaino

According to Anthony Castrovince at MLB.com, the Indians released reliever Luis Vizcaino today. The 34-year-old Vizcaino had been designated for assignment on June 23. Vizcaino put up a 4.11 ERA and 12/12 K/BB ratio in 15.1 innings between the Cubs and Indians this year. The Rangers were said to be in the mix for Vizcaino before the Indians, and with their decimated bullpen it looks to still be a possibility.   Continue Reading

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D'Backs Discussed Haren With Angels?

Ken Rosenthal at FOX Sports says that the Angels inquired on Dan Haren, hoping to add the elite starter through a deal that could have included "their surplus of catchers and middle infielders to put together a blockbuster offer." However, the Diamondbacks declined to engage in more serious talks for Haren. Says one D'Backs exec: "I almost can't conceive of a package that would motivate us to move him." Rosenthal goes on to say that the Diamondbacks consider Haren an integral piece of their future, but one source indicated that "talks could accelerate" if the Angels bowl over the Diamondbacks...   Continue Reading

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Orioles Sign Matt Hobgood

TUESDAY, 5:08pm: Hobgood received a bonus of $2.42MM, according to PGCrossChecker.com. SATURDAY, 2:19pm: MLB.com's Spencer Fordin reports the Orioles will introduce Hobgood at a press conference scheduled for 5:30pm ET. FRIDAY, 4:58pm: The Orioles will sign first round pick Matt Hobgood tomorrow, according to Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun. Schmuck doesn't have the terms of the deal, but they should become available after tomorrow's press conference. Click here to see the bonuses received by some of Hobgood's fellow first-rounders. It sounds like Hobgood's already fitting in well with Adam Jones, Jim Palmer and others in the O's organization.   Continue Reading

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Pirates Trade Reactions

Jack Wilson is unhappy with the deal that sent Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett to Washington, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Wilson argues that the majority of the Pirates' recent moves haven't worked out and says many current Pirates won't be around long enough to enjoy any positives from Neal Huntington's changes. Some reactions to the Pirates-Nats deal from Twitter: Joel Sherman says the Pirates won; John Perrotto is surprised by the talent the Pirates acquired; Jon Heyman says at least the Nats have an outfielder who can catch now and Keith Law says it's an easy...   Continue Reading

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Recapping The Pirates Trades

The Pirates dealt their starting left-fielder, their most relied-upon reliever and a utilityman for a former top prospect, a power bullpen arm and a couple low-level prospects in a pair of deals today. Here's a recap of who the Pirates obtained: Casey Erickson - one of the players obtained in the Hinske deal, Erickson was pitching in A ball. He'll turn 24 in August, so he hasn't moved through the minors particularly quickly, but he struck out 37 in 44 innings without allowing many runs. Eric Fryer - this catcher/outfielder was also playing in A ball for the Yanks, though...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Hinske, Pirates, Astros

Links for Tuesday... Joel Sherman of the New York Post heard that Eric Hinske cleared waivers two weeks ago.This means the Mets, Yankees or any other team could have had him for the $800k remaining on his salary. Sherman believes the Pirates won the other trade they made today, acquiring Lastings Milledge and Joel Hanrahan from the Nats. Tom Verducci of SI.com names his All-Star team and it's heavy on youth. Astros first rounder Jiovanni Mier told MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo that the pace of the game is noticeably faster in the pros. Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle says Mike...   Continue Reading

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